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Stretch fibres and fabrics: reaching new levels of comfort, 2015

Stretch fibres and fabrics offer several performance benefits compared with their stretchless counterparts. Indeed, elastane, a fibre which was first introduced in the 1950s for use in corsetry, is now used in virtually all categories of apparel – including compression garments, denim, everyday ready-to-wear garments, fashion wear, hosiery, outerwear, shapewear (shaping garments), sportswear, swimwear, underwear, waistbands and workwear – as a result of consumer demand for apparel which facilitates a high level of stretch and recovery. Furthermore, several variants of elastane have recently been developed in order to meet additional performance demands relating to durability. There have also been major advances in the development of alternative stretch fibres such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene therephtalate (PTT) and elasterell. As a result, stretch fabric manufacturers can now choose from a broad range of fibres in order to meet specific customer demands in terms of stretch and recovery and other performance properties. This report provides a wealth of information on various types of stretch fibres and stretch fabrics, and the applications in which they are used. The report also discusses trends in supply and demand, and an overview of the key producers of stretch fibres and yarns, and stretch fabrics.

Four times a year, Performance Apparel Markets provides an overview of the sector for performance apparel and corporatewear. It provides market data and analysis of new and established markets for performance fibres, fabrics and clothing, and is essential reading for executives who are working in (or supplying) this fast growing sector. It is also an invaluable one-stop-shop where people who are not involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis can find an authoritative source of relevant information which helps them to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues facing the companies in this sector.

Reports in Performance Apparel Markets include:

reports on major developments in the global performance apparel market, focusing on new products and technologies, innovative fibres and key players;

Performance apparel represents one of the fastest growing sectors of the international textile and clothing industry – and market growth is being fuelled by the emergence of new fibres, new fabrics and innovative process technologies. The market is also being boosted by changes in consumer lifestyles. People are living longer and spending more time on leisure activities. New high-tech fabrics are being developed for a wide range of active sports such as aerobics, athletics, ballooning, cycling, hiking, mountaineering, parachuting, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and windsurfing.

Exciting innovations are emerging in smart textiles and nanotechnology – and the sector’s growth prospects are helped by the trend in increasing demand for performance features in mainstream fashion.

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A subscription to Performance Apparel Markets will support your decision making, and provide the information you need to expand into new markets.

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